The New Orleans Pelicans’ Path to Playoffs Just Got Easier
The New Orleans Pelicans will have a tough road to the playoffs, but it just got a little bit easier after an announcement by the Washington Wizards.
There has been a lot of important news for the New Orleans Pelicans over the last few days.
The team announced that Darius Miller would not be playing in Orlando, and that they had signed Sindarius Thornwell, though the two moves are not necessarily related.
Since only players who are sitting out for COVID-19 can be replaced on the roster, it means someone other than Miller is about to lose a spot.
These moves probably won’t affect the games, as neither player was likely to see any game action.
But the rest of the league got some news that will absolutely affect the games.
Washington Wizards’ shooting guard Bradley Beal will not be playing in Orlando due to a rotator cuff injury, which means that the Wizards are losing their best player and won’t be able to replace him on the roster.
Replacing Beal would be impossible anyway, as he is averaging 30.5 points per game, good for second in the NBA.
New Orleans Pelicans: Bradley Beal’s injury makes things easier
Although this is bad news for Wizards’ fans and Beal, it could help make the Pelicans’ road to the playoffs a little easier.
The New Orleans Pelicans will play the Washington Wizards on August 7th as part of the eight-game conclusion to the season.
The Wizards will now be without Beal and sharpshooter Davis Bertans, who announced he would not be playing in order to avoid injury prior to his free agency.
The Wizards will be without their two top scorers and were already missing John Wall, so their roster will be depleted.
The Grizzlies, Trail Blazers and Kings, the three teams the New Orleans Pelicans will battle for the 8th seed, will not play the Wizards, so will not benefit from Beal’s absence.
The Pelicans’ road to the playoffs won’t be easy, and they can’t take the Wizards for granted, but without Beal, the Pels will be heavy favorites against Washington.